Samsung working on fix for Galaxy S10 fingerprint unlock bug
The ultrasonic reader has security issues.
Samsung will apparently address the Galaxy S10's security issues.
The ultrasonic fingerprint reader was designed to keep the Samsung Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10 Plus secure, but that was called into question by reports that it can be unlocked with a 3D-printed fingerprint and -- now -- with an inexpensive screen protector. On Oct. 17, Samsung said it'll address the new problem with a software patch, as previously reported by Reuters.
"We are investigating this issue and will be deploying a software patch soon," a Samsung spokesperson confirmed in an emailed statement.
Read more: Best Samsung Galaxy S10, S10 Plus and S10E cases
Some third-party screen protectors can confuse the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, the South Korean phone maker said in a notice on its customer support app, Reuters reported. KaKaobank, an online bank, has advised owners to turn off S10 fingerprint recognition until the patch arrives. On Thursday, the Bank of Scotland also urged Galaxy owners who use its mobile banking app to turn off fingerprint login until the issue is fixed.
Samsung has a security issue with the fingerprint reader on its Galaxy Note 10/10+ and S10/S10+/S10 5G devices. There’s no problem with your mobile banking app, but for now you should turn off fingerprint log in. Samsung plans to update its software soon to fix the issue.
— Bank of Scotland (@BankofScotland) October 24, 2019
If you follow that advice, you can use the S10's face unlocking system or go old school with a numerical PIN code.
First published Oct. 17 at 4:43 a.m. PT.
Update, Oct. 18: Adds more detail. Update, Oct. 24: Adds warning from Bank of Scotland.
